Chicago Cubs: Adbert Alzolay’s potential impact on 2019 pitching staff

Chicago Cubs: Wide-ranging issues with pitching

After signing a lucrative contract in free agency, Yu Darvish wound up making just eight starts with the Cubs. The 32-year-old posted a 4.95 ERA before going down in May with an elbow injury, never to return to the active roster.

Closer Brandon Morrow went down in July with a biceps injury and never returned, and setup man Pedro Strop missed most of September with a hamstring injury.

Of course, this list does not include Drew Smyly, who the Cubs signed last offseason. Recovering from Tommy John Surgery, Smyly never pitched for the Cubs before they traded him to the Rangers in November.

The Cubs traded Smyly to create cap space to retain Cole Hamels and his $20 million team option. And while we’re on the topic of money, let’s not forget about how Tyler Chatwood struggled to help the Cubs in any way, shape or form last season.

Chicago Cubs: Alzolay’s void felt by Cubs

Chatwood walked a league-high 95 batters in 2018 after signing a three-year contract in free agency last winter. So where am I going with this?

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Well, between injuries and/or signings that didn’t work out, Alzolay could have provided a huge boost to the 2018 Cubs. 2019’s outlook is somewhat murkier, however.

The calendar hasn’t even flipped yet, but the Cubs’ starting rotation for next season is already all but set.

Barring any injuries, trades or weird surprises, the Cubs likely will roll with Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, José Quintana, Hamels and Darvish (in no particular order).

If this ultimately is the case, the Cubs have two starting-caliber pitchers likely headed to the bullpen: Chatwood and Mike Montgomery.

Between Chatwood’s control issues and Montgomery’s desire to start, though, it would not be surprising if neither are on the team in 2019.

Chicago Cubs: Delayed debut in ’19?

Trading Chatwood would require eating a chunk of his contract; Montgomery might just want a chance to start, whether that be in Chicago or somewhere else. If these two guys are on the 2019 Cubs, Alzolay likely will start the season in the minor leagues. He is probably headed there regardless to get back into the swing of things.

Like 2018, though, the Cubs could promote Alzolay early on if a starter gets hurt or if they need an extra arm for a doubleheader. Without such circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising if his MLB debut is put on hold until late-summer.

Delaying Alzolay’s debut until July or August would give him plenty of time to get back into game shape. Odd circumstances aside, there is no use in rushing Alzolay to the big leagues if he is not ready.

Or an accelerated debut?

But what if Chatwood and/or Montgomery are not with the Cubs next season? What if Alzolay looks solid in Spring Training?

Without Chatwood, Montgomery, Smyly and the recently-departed Jesse Chavez, the Cubs would have no true swingman pitcher on their roster. They obviously are going to make moves in free agency/on the trade market, so this could change.

Even if the Cubs sign or acquire such a pitcher, Alzolay looking ready to go in Spring Training could change the team’s outlook. For that reason, it wouldn’t be surprising if he makes the Opening Day roster as that swingman guy.

There are a lot of hypotheticals in play here, none of which are too far-fetched. The bottom line is if Alzolay doesn’t look ready for the big leagues, there is no point in rushing his debut. But if he does look ready, his MLB debut might not be too far away.